In the evening, Seonghwa's family and friends finally gathered for their long-awaited dinner together. It had been a while since everyone had been available, busy with duties or Mingi's fever or other concerns. Tonight, all of them had time to meet and toast their cups to the triumph against the orcs. 

They had prepared a feast under the tree, everyone who had even a remote cooking talent helping Seungyoun out in the kitchen to prepare their favourite dishes from home. Seonghwa made his infamous blueberry pie for them with Jongho as their oven when he conveniently changed his shape to match their needs. He commented how warm he felt while the fire raged in the place where others had their guts.

Once everything was prepared, they rounded up their many dishes on the table and assembled around it. Yeosang and Jongho sat with them, of course; the pets were by their sides, and the kids had played in the grass together before they joined with them, including Thistle, who had become an extended part of the family. Seonghwa also asked Seungyoun to sit with them, and the elf graciously received everyone's compliments about his cooking.

Wooyoung brought drinks, Hongjoong stole candy from the spire's storage and the scent of home mingled in the many foods.

It was their celebration. The moment of reprieve before the next step of their journey would begin. Though many issues yet awaited them, they won the hardest battle yet and freed Seonghwa's people. It was no small feat, as generations of rulers hadn't managed to beat the orcs before them.

The titans had come to witness their festivities. There wasn't enough space for all of them, but Asteria and Crius were there, Astraios and a few others who consistently helped the family around the caves. They gathered around their alcove and relished their merry mood. Even Mulberry squawked with pride about a job well done. 

"Thank you, everyone, for gathering for me. I wanted to take the time to sit with you all and relish our success," Seonghwa began his little speech once everyone was seated. Some of them were busy every day and Mingi still recovered from his rut, but they all smiled at him with the same inspired glint in their eyes. 

"I hope you know how proud I am of you, every single person here. Without your help, we wouldn't have made it this far. The elves and the empire owe you a great deal and for that, I thank you." Seonghwa bowed deeply, graceful to the tips of his long curls. When he came back up, his husbands stared at him with marvel. 

"We don't know what the future brings. Our path will still be difficult to walk and we might not always win. But I am honoured to be by your sides. I couldn't have done it without you." Emotion swelled in his throat so abruptly, making every breath tremble and his eyes glisten. He didn't break down, happier than he was scared, and he was glad to guide them with his light. 

"Thank you. I can't say enough words of thanks. For risking your safety, your lives, your trust for me and my people. I will continue fighting in our name. And one day, I hope I can brink you peace, whatever it takes." No matter where he was. Seonghwa would use all the remaining power he might have, all those beguiling qualities that could move people, to return harmony to those who earned it. 

There would be many foes. People like his brother, people like the orcs. Even those who merely sought profit or mayhem. Seonghwa couldn't fight them all.

But this was a start. And he owed it to those fighting by his side.

When Seonghwa lifted his cup, all eyes gathered on his features, on the smile praising them. 

"To you. And to peace," he cheered and Morana and Wooyoung fumbled for their cups the quickest. The others fell in, roaring an affirmation of Seonghwa's words. 

He had to sit down, suddenly overwhelmed by his feelings when his soul couldn't contain all of it, and loudly sang its praise. Asteria smiled at his struggle and Pebble somehow managed to climb onto Mulberry, sitting on his squawking back to witness the emperor regaining his glow.

His husbands were in tune with his feelings, and Yunho lifted his cup next. 

"To regaining what was lost and bringing back some order! So no one must hurt again!" He also received a holler, the titans watching their habits bemusedly. They egged each other on until Yeosang also shyly took his cup to lift it for the others. He drank a special brew that was good for him, not sharing the alcohol. 

"To the pain we suffered and endured. To the strength that came of it," he said, his voice even and strong, but the cheer was all the same as they appreciated anyone who stepped up.

Wooyoung couldn't miss the moment, and Buddy ran around the table with excitement as they warmed up, getting louder and happier as they allowed themselves to bask in their triumph for once. They could worry more tomorrow. For today, they deserved to be with each other.

"To the most beautiful of all. Our moon who shines our path. And the prettiest wife," Wooyoung yelled, ending with a cheeky wink at Seonghwa that had the elf shyly cradling his cheek in his palm. Their compliments flattered him most, making his cheeks glitter with the stars under his skin as if they were years back and those same husbands were wooing him anew. 

They had his undivided attention now, and Morana snickered at seeing him so affected. By her side, Aodhán also lifted his cup, not drinking alcohol since he disliked the taste but confident in surroundings he felt comfortable in.

"To our athair," he praised and though they might not realise it, Seonghwa couldn't be more glad to see his two older kids encourage him with that same love in their eyes. He often regretted leaving them in their young years. Hated the pain they went through because of him. But they forgave him in their way. Sat with him now to create new memories. He might always fight with Morana since she was so head-strong, but so long as she knew she would always be safe with him, he was satisfied. 

They all drank together and began their meal, distributing and sharing the food. Mingi had never tried a dish from the seraphim, so San gladly shared it with him. Wooyoung poured everyone the best mead the gryphon-borns produced, and Aodhán explained the salad he made with his father. 

Everything was delicious. No palace cooking, not the work of dedicated and studied chefs, but perfect for this occasion. Seonghwa was inspired, wanted to hire as many elven cooks as he could find to bring meals to their newly freed kin, remind them of the taste of home. He would empty his royal treasure to give people food and homes, to help them find back to themselves. 

The dream of the Crystal Sphere coming back to life no longer seemed impossible. Not when the news of his survival spread through the lands and filled people with hope.

Asteria was fascinated by his glow, by his ability to bring people together with his light. It was something all of their people appreciated, aside from the demons. Mingi's search for his light was unique in that way. Seonghwa might not be a fighter and he made his mistakes, but he kept rising, again and again, to shine a path through the darkness.

"The stars blessed us with you. Fate is a heavy burden, but you handled it with grace," the titan complimented him and Seonghwa bowed his head to her. Morana was cutting some meat for Mingi and offered him sweets. The demon accepted with a warm grin, trying what the others gave him. 

"I thank you from the depths of my existence. Your aid was our last resort. We might have fallen to highwaymen, but in this place of the old gods, we found sanctum," Seonghwa replied to Asteria as the twins giggled over the beans they rolled between them on the table. San reprimanded them with a look and Yunho showed them how to form them into a happy face.

"Your stars and our gods have always been close to one another. You are one and the same as us, and you will always have a home here. You have proved your strength many times and you shine brighter than ever. May you become even more dazzling, Seonghwa," the titan gave her blessing, fond of the sight his little family made. Their existence was puny in the grand scheme of the universe. They died young, their history was full of war and despair, and they moved only such a little part of the world in their limited amount of time. 

But for them, it was the work of a lifetime. It was blood, sweat, and tears. It was their bond and their rage.

As the titans watched aeons pass and gods fall, as they witnessed new races walk the earth, they were intrigued by this determination.

"I couldn't have done it alone. Without my children, without my loves, I never would have got this far. They are everything to me. The reason for my life and my return," Seonghwa also admitted. To him, it meant the same. Despite growing up as a prince, he never took being loved for granted. With anyone else, his life would have been so different. 

But he loved where he was. Loved them and the strength they gave him. 

"There is a home for you yet. Fate rewards those who fight for it. We saw your stars shine bright tonight. Now that you overcame their trials, they will bless you anew."

"Thank you," Seonghwa whispered and his emotions blocked his throat again, but his smile was happy and free. 

He turned to his family, accepting the bowl Hongjoong's shadowy hands gave him. They were laughing over a story Yeosang was telling, pressed shoulder to shoulder and thigh to thigh as their bond was much stronger than that of any regular family. 

Morana fell in, adding one of her witty and sharp jokes, and Mingi glowed with pride when he listened to her. 

"Once we are back home, what do you want to do most? Should we rebuild the castle? I miss living in a castle," Yunho posed his next question, and some nodded while San shrugged it off, not needing any glamour to be happy. The twins chirped in, asking what living in an elven castle was like and Wooyoung explained it to them, lying and exaggerating about the grandeur. In his memory, the food floated to his room by itself and he could levitate everywhere on a pillow.

"So much quartz," was Jongho's comment. 

"Our people-" Seonghwa fell in with his usual worries, but he was booed into silence. At his shocked look, they snickered at him. The elf was rarely denied.

"No, fun things only! What do we want to do? It can wait years for all I care, but let's think about rewards we look forward to," Yunho argued and Aodhán perked up with excitement.

"Music! I want to play with uncle Jongho and learn how to make music for Lioba," he grinned, and Jongho patted his head with the lightest of touches.

"I also miss music. It vibrates through my insides to funnily. I think that's what Yunho described as pleasure."

"It's not," Seonghwa gasped, scandalised Yunho might be teaching Jongho emotions all wrong, but they all had to giggle again.

"Some sort of pleasure, surely," San said lightly to soothe Seonghwa, and they all babbled over each other to reminisce about their home and plan for a future one. Everyone was keen to stay together, although it got heated between Hongjoong and Wooyoung since the gryphon-born wanted to room closest to Seonghwa this time. 

When they asked him what he wanted (brushing off his sappy answer that he merely wished for a place to share with them), he shyly admitted he missed his gardens and his swing, where he liked to spend time with Yeosang. The dryad's eyes softened at the comment, but Yunho promised immediately to build him a swing, no matter where they ended up.

One topic jumped to the next as they drank and laughed, enjoying the past and the challenges they overcame.

Tomorrow, it was the time to plan their next move and to prepare themselves for the shock when people would learn that Seonghwa survived.

Tonight was just for them.

*******

This book will have 60 chapters btw!